JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. —
The Joint Base Charleston Commander has issued a limited evacuation order (LEO) due to the projected path of Hurricane Florence. The base is currently in Hurricane Condition IV.
Recent projections show Hurricane Florence may make landfall on or near the South Carolina region within the next 72 hours. The installation is in the process of evacuating all C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to safe haven locations to continue their Rapid Global Mobility mission.
Base personnel and residents should work through their chain of command and determine an evacuation plan. In accordance with the governor’s direction, the LEO states that all military members and Department of Defense civilians designated as non-essential personnel are authorized to evacuate beginning at 6 p.m. Sept. 10, 2018.
“The LEO has been issued to ensure the safety of our personnel and their families in support of Governor McMaster’s evacuation efforts,” said Col. Terrence Adams, 628th Air Base Wing and Joint Base Charleston commander. “The governor has ordered a mandatory evacuation at this time.”
All personnel should contact their duty sections for further instructions and information on transportation for individuals who do not have a personal vehicle. Those evacuating should follow their approved hurricane readiness plan. All personnel are required to evacuate and are not authorized to stay in local shelters during the storm. Stay tuned to local television and radio stations for instructions and hurricane information. Follow local guidelines for routes to leave the area.
The 628th Medical Group and Naval Health Clinic Charleston will take normal appointments through Tuesday, Sept. 11 with the exception of MRI and CAT scans. Both the 628th Medical Group and NHCC will be available to issue emergency prescriptions and waivers for off-base appointments.
Starting at the time of the LEO, service members’ use of their Government Travel Card is authorized. The 628th Comptroller Squadron finance office will be open to provide cash advances for any service members without a GTC and dependents whose spouse is deployed or on temporary duty from 4 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11.
Please follow @JBCharlestonFSS on Facebook and www.jbcharleston.com for planned closing and re-opening hours of 628th Force Support Squadron facilities.
Each respective service has a hotline where family members can obtain information on military members who have evacuated affected areas. The number for Air Force personnel is: 1-800-435-9941; Navy personnel 1-800-946-9183; for Army personnel: 1-800-833-6622.
All Air Force personnel are reminded to update their personal information at the Air Force Personnel Accountability and assessment System at https://afpaas.af.mil
Navy personnel should update the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System at https://navyfamily.navy.mil.
All Army personnel are reminded to update their personal information at the Army Disaster Personnel Accountability and Assessment System at https://adpaas.army.mil
Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel should reach out to their chain of command on accountability reporting instructions.
For up to date hurricane condition information, service members and base residents can go to https://www.facebook.com/TeamCharleston/ or http://www.jbcharleston.jb.mil/.
Members of JB Charleston can access the official LEO at http://www.jbcharleston.jb.mil/
Useful resources:
2018 South Carolina Hurricane Guide is available for download on SC Emergency Management Division's website at www.scemd.org.
National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Ready.gov: http://www.ready.gov
For more information, please call the Public Affairs office at (843) 963-1759.